Town Shop Youth Center

by Jeanne Albanese

Without the Town Shop, my life was a dull gray. Now it shines with beautiful colors.

Shannon Bower-Portal, former Town Shop participant

Thank you for all the opportunities to view the world outside the box, giving the kids a broader view and a calm place to be themselves.

Susanne and Bob Gemmill, parents of current participant, Sarah

I cannot fully express the esteem I hold for David and Cheryl Vermilya. Even though running the Town Shop is their job, I feel it is more their calling. Their enthusiasm and selfless dedication to the town’s youth is immeasurable. They have contributed to the personal growth of my son by introducing him to the importance of community service and being a part of the community. My son has become a confident and socially conscious individual due to their influence.

Susan M. Czerwinski, parent of former participant

These words – and thousands more like them – sustain Cheryl Vermilya.

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Many young people and their families are having to cope with diminishing personal resources. At the same time, elected representatives at every level are compelled to respond to growing budget deficits with difficult decisions about reducing or eliminating community based resources. Many fine youth programs across New York State have already absorbed significant funding cuts. The Town Shop has weathered many storms in its 38 year history, but this one is a biggy.

Some Ways To Help

Express Yourself: Communicate with your elected representatives by letter, email, or phone. What do you value? What do you appreciate? They need to know so that they can make informed decisions. View List

Charles Schumer US Senate Phone: (315) 423-5471 Fax: (315) 423-5185 Send an Email	Kirsten E. Gillibrand US Senate Phone: 202-224-4451 Send an Email	Daniel Maffei US Congress Phone: (315) 423-5657 Fax: (315) 423-5669 Send an Email
David A Paterson NYS Governor Phone: (518) 474-8390 Send an Email	John A. DeFrancisco NYS Senate Phone: (315) 428-7632 Send an Email	William A. Barclay NYS Assembly Phone: (315) 598-5185 Send an Email
Joanne M. Mahoney Onondaga County Executive Phone: (315) 435-3516 Fax: (315) 435-8582 Send an Email	James M. Rhinehart Onondaga County Legislature Phone: (315) 435-2070 Send an Email	Mary Ann Coogan Camillus Town Supervisor Phone: (315) 488-1335 Send an Email
David Callahan Camillus Town Board, 6th Ward Phone: (315) 488-7408 Send an Email	David Cooke Camillus Town Board, 5th Ward Phone: (315) 701-3094 Send an Email	William Davern Camillus Town Board, 3rd Ward Phone: (315) 488-6990 Send an Email
Kathryn MacRae Camillus Town Board, 2nd Ward Phone: (315) 487-4312 Send an Email	Roger Pisarek Camillus Town Board, 1st Ward Phone: (315) 672-5610 Send an Email	James Salanger Camillus Town Board, 4th Ward Phone: (315) 487-6117

Join Our Action Alliance: Send us your email address. We’ll send out alerts if immediate expressions of support are necessary.

Donate A Consumable: Occasionally drop off items that are consumed regularly (E.g., coffee, hot chocolate, jelly, bread, sugar, toilet paper). Camillus Methodist Church has kindly offered to help us with our Peanut Butter needs.

Help Subsidize An Activity: Donate towards Park entrance fees, campsite rentals, museum admissions, internet services, magazine subscriptions, etc. (Contact Cheryl for more ideas.)

Money Donation: Any amount will help. We accept checks and PayPal.

If so, come join in on our upcoming winter activities!

A Few Highlights

• Seva (Samaritan Center) Date: Wednesdays 3pm
• Seva (Sunshine Horse Rescue) Date: Saturdays 9am
• Camping (Highland Forest) Date: Feb 16-19
• BOCES ADAPEP Date: 2/25 8-3pm
  The Town Shop is hosting their monthly meeting. Cheryl could use help making soup and salad (to feed 50).
• Dodgeball (East Hill Elementary) Date: 2/26, 3/26 6:30pm
• Eating Our Way Around The World Date: 2/28, 3/28
  We’ll get to taste the unique flavors of Mexican and Vietnamese cuisine.
• Town Shop Birthday! Date: 3/1 4-10pm
  A momentous celebration, with live performances by Spire and Eleanor, plus pizza donated graciously by Solvay Bank. Come join the fun!
• Vegetarian Cooking Class Date: 3/4 6:30pm
  Welcoming guest chef Daryl Olin.
• Classic Movie Night Date: 3/12 7pm
  Hosted by Dan Nolan. Interested in a movie? Leave us a comment!
• Poetry Open Mic Date: 3/19 7pm

For a complete listing, check out the calendar.

by Ami Olson

Dave Vermilya, Town Shop co-director, speaks in recognition of the volunteer spirit displayed by Town Shop teens at the third Seva Recognition Dinner last week. Recognizing and celebrating the volunteer spirit of local youth was the message of Wednesday evening’s Seva Recognition Dinner, held at the Camillus Methodist Church in the village.

The Camillus Town Shop joined with church members last week in honor of the nearly 70 Town Shop participants who have attended a seva (selfless service) program at least once since June 1, 2008. The word “seva” is used at the Town Shop to portray the act of selfless service, for which the volunteer receives nothing. Through the Town Shop, teens could display the seva spirit by volunteering on Wednesdays at the Samaritan Center, or Saturdays at the Sunshine Horse Rescue, without gaining community service hours or school credit for their time.

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